How to become an entrepreneur

All you need to know about becoming an Entrepreneur

Posted 11 April

Network, Network, Network

Network upwards

You will find people who have gone before you and have been in the game for much longer than you have. Seek out people who you look up to and ask them for their advice. People are usually willing to share their wisdom. Something that took them years to figure out might only be a short story for you. This will shave countless hours off of your business cycle.

Network laterally

Make friends with people who are on the same level as you. They could end up being valuable business partners and will help you on your way to becoming an entrepreneur.

Network down

Even if you’re only a budding entrepreneur, you will find that there are people who haven’t been doing it for as long as you have. Reach out to these people and share your experiences with them. Their questions will give you new perspectives on your own approach.

Portershed Visit

Surround yourself with positive people that you like

You need a team of people who support you and what you’re doing. It’s important that you want to work and collaborate with the people you see on a daily basis. As well as this, you need people who will tell you when you’re wrong and provide constructive and supportive criticism.

Get rid of any negative people in your life

There will always be people trying to bring you down. Shut these people out and don’t let them bring you to their level. Tell them to stand aside and watch as you achieve your goals.

Commit to a regular workout regime and healthy diet

Processed foods and no exercise will give you low energy levels and won’t give you any fuel to accomplish anything. You’ll get a short burst of energy but end up feeling more tired than before. If you gradually introduce small changes into your weekly schedule, you will find yourself being more productive and have a lot more energy.

Learn as much as you can

There is no clear path for becoming an entrepreneur. Some things will work and others won’t. You need to act and learn from the process. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new. Take time to reflect on everything.

Surround yourself with positive people

Journal all of the things that you learn

Keeping a journal can be a very valuable part of keeping all of your thoughts in check. Write everything that you learn down and you will be a lot more likely to remember all of these nuggets of wisdom that you meet along the way.

Keep a journal for all of your ideas and goals

This brings them one step further to becoming reality. It also does great things for keeping your mind focused on your end goals. There is a lot to be said for putting pen to paper when inspiration hits you.

Learn how to disconnect from work

It is quite important that you learn how to switch off after work. In our constantly switched-on society, turning off is almost just as important. Try turning off notifications in your down time to give yourself a break from it all before coming back to work the next day fresh and ready to go.

Get a part-time job

It’s unlikely that your business will start making enough money to keep you afloat straight away. A part-time job could ease up any monetary stress that you might have. If you are eating into savings or loans, then you could eventually run out.

Ask for help

You are embarking on a journey that’s going to be very difficult. Be aware that you cannot do this alone. People will help you if you need it. Don’t let pride get in the way.

Help others

One of the most important ways of marketing is through what’s known as “Help Marketing”. If you devote your time to one of your customers and go above and beyond what is asked from you, they will remember it.

Read a lot

Reading will make you more intelligent and more capable of running a business. Read books and articles that are related directly and indirectly to your business. Take inspiration from everything.

Read a lot

If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.
Napoleon Hill

Focus

Don’t lose sight of the things that are important to your business. It’s easy to lose sight and spend a lot of time on minute detail. Always be aware of the bigger picture.

Productivity is better than perfection

Don’t let yourself get carried away with making things perfect. This is a good trait to have but you can get lost in insignificant alterations. Make sure to get the job done, even if it isn’t perfect.

Make mistakes

Becoming an entrepreneur takes a lot of risk. Not everything is going to work out all the time. Learn how to cope with failure and adapt your strategy accordingly.

Don’t let money rule you

If becoming a millionaire is your main focus then you probably won’t get anywhere near it. You need to focus on whatever product your selling. Think of how you can improve people’s lives through what you’re doing. Try filling someone else’s cup before filling your own. People will see value in this and the cash flow will come after. People will see through false and shallow business prospects and won’t part with their money as easily for something that’s sub-standard.

Don’t put things off until tomorrow

Now is the time to act. If you get into the habit of putting everything on the long finger you will never accomplish anything you set out to do.

We run a short semester programme here at Galway Business School on Entrepreneurship that will give you the necessary tools in order to begin your career as an aspiring entrepreneur.

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